Week 5 Georgia Preps Games of the Week Previews
Game of the Week
Class 1A
Elbert County (3-0) @ Washington-Wilkes (3-0)
Last Week:
Elbert County BYE
Washington-Wilkes beat Georgia Military College 14-2
Players to Watch:
Elbert County: RB Quan Moss, QB Jayvyn Hickman, DB/WR Christian Harris, LB Bubba Heard
Washington-Wilkes: LB/TE Nick Harkins, DB/WR Desmond Cofer, QB Andrew Meech, RB/WR Tamari Curry
Storylines:
These two teams are familiar with one another, and in their previous six matchups, Washington-Wilkes has won four out of the six, while winning the last two outings. Coming into this game, both Elbert County and Washington-Wilkes are undefeated on the year, sitting at 3-0. The Tigers have only allowed 1 touchdown, and a total of 9 points in their first 3 games. It is tough to find any success on their defense, which makes it extremely difficult to limit quality field position for the Tiger offense. Elbert County will be a tough test for the Tiger defense, led by QB Jayvyn Hickman the Blue Devil offense has been balanced and clicking on all cylinders. The Blue Devil ground game will feature Quan Moss, a tough runner who is hard to get to the ground, and has a nose for the endzone. This will be a great matchup in Washington, GA, between two fast, explosive, and physical teams!
Game of the Week
Class 2A
Pierce County (3-0) @
Charlton County (3-1)
Last Week:
Pierce County beat Liberty County 45-6
Charlton County lost to University Christian (FL) 0-33
Players to Watch:
Pierce County: QB Dj Bell, RB Jimarion Guyton, WR/DB Jaquez White, OL Henry Peagler
Charlton County: DE/TE Elyiss Williams, LB/RB Jaylen Lilley, DB/WR Demorrion Martin, QB Ayden Crews
Storylines:
Ranked in the top 10 in their respective classifications, Pierce County and Charlton County will feature some future next level talent, along with dynamic playmakers all over the field. Pierce County QB Dj Bell has been a handful for opposing defenses this year, and he looks to continue the success he has had against the Indians. Jimarion Guyton and Jaquez White are playmakers that make Bell’s job easier, and makes it difficult for opposing teams to limit the Bears putting points on the scoreboard. Charlton County is a stout football team, with both sides of the ball stacked with talent. Defensively, Elyiss Williams and Jaylen Lilley anchor the Indians, making it tough sledding for opponents offenses. The Indian offense is balanced in their approach, and will look to control the tempo of the game, along with the line of scrimmage. This is a matchup of two great programs, who not only look to come out victorious in this contest, but are looking for extended success throughout the season and to make a deep playoff run with a state title as their goal!
Game of the Week
Class 3A
Peach County (2-1) @ Perry (2-1)
Last Week:
Peach County beat Jones County 35-3
Perry beat Veterans 37-6
Players to Watch:
Peach County: QB Colter Ginn, WR/DB Dylan Johnson, DB Jayden Parker, RB Robert Jones
Perry: QB Amar Gordon Jr, RB/DB Demetrious Carter, WR/DB Dakarai Anderson, WR/DB Deuntae Kendrick
Storylines:
There is a lot of familiarity in this matchup, with only 20 minutes separating these two schools, a lot is known of the opponent, no matter what side you are standing on. There will also be no love lost when these teams take the field. Peach County has won 23 of the last 24 meetings against the Panthers, and this year, the Trojans look to keep the trend of winning moving forward. On the season, Peach County’s defense has held opponents to under 400 yards of total offense, and have intercepted 6 passes in their first three games. The Trojan defense faces their toughest test against the Panthers. QB Amar Gordon Jr, for the Perry Panthers, is rolling on the season, he has the Panther offense averaging 45 points, and in their lone loss on the year, he managed to lead the offense to a 56 point outing. Gordon has 721 passing yards on the season, with 10 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, but he can’t do it alone, surrounding him is, go to target, WR Dakarai Anderson, and when they want to ground and pound, the Panthers can turn around and hand it off to tough running back Demetrious Carter. This game has a chance to be one of, maybe the best, game on season.
Game of the Week
Class 4A
Brooks County (3-1) @ Bainbridge (2-2)
Last Week:
Brooks County beat Mitchell County 49-12
Bainbridge beat Thomasville 24-7
Players to Watch:
Brooks County: QB/CB Jamal Sanders, LB/RB Jeremiah Henderson, LB/TE Jaden Corea, DE/WR Di’lon Harvey
Bainbridge: QB Cam Sanders, RB/DB Keenan Phillips, WR/DB Antavious Murphy, WR/DB James Jackson
Storylines:
Brooks County, the defending 1A state champions, have started the 2022-23 campaign 3-1, and go for their fourth win on the season Friday night. The Trojans travel to Bainbridge to face off with the Bearcats for the third time; the previous two contests have been split, with a combined margin of victory of 3 points. The Trojans will feature speed on both sides of the ball, and will bring a physical mentality to the field when they are on defense. Bainbridge, looking for more consistency on the season, 2-2 on the season, the Bearcats aim to right the ship Friday night against the Trojans. Keep an eye on RB/DB Keenan Phillips, and WR/DB Antavious Murphy for the Bearcats, they are the catalyst and relied on for the success of the team. Both, Brooks County, and Bainbridge, have next level talent, and these two teams will clash in, what should be, a great game this week!
Game of the Week
Class 5A
Winder Barrow (3-1) @ Loganville (4-0)
Last Week:
Winder Barrow lost to Peachtree Ridge 21-35
Loganville beat Apalachee 38-0
Players to Watch:
Winder Barrow: RB/DB Tyreeck Hall, QB/LB Conyer Smith, RB/LB Aidan Thompson, CB Aidan Johnson
Loganville: QB Johnny Crowe, RB/LB Solomon Leslie, DB/WR Nico Dowdell, DE/LB/TE Jason Eligwe
Storylines:
In the previous 10 matchups, most recently in 2019, Loganville leads the series 6-4, but Winder Barrow has won the last 3. 30 minutes separates these two programs, and on Friday night there will be no love lost when they take the field against each other. After giving up 39 points in the season opener, Loganville has figured it out on defense, allowing only 7 points in their last 3 outings, also pitching back to back shutouts. The Red Devil defense is stout, but it isn’t the only aspect of success for them this season, offensively, Logaville knows how to control the tempo of the game, and put points on the board. Winder Barrow is aiming to get back on track this week, after giving up 9 points in their first 3 games of the season, the Bulldog defense allowed 35 in a loss to Peachtree Ridge last week. Offensively for the Bulldogs, get ready to see RB Tyreeck Hall carry the load. Hall, on the season, has tallied 760 rushing yards, along with 9 touchdowns on the ground. This will be a great game this week, and will feature some next level talent!
Game of the Week
Class 6A
Blessed Trinity (3-0) @ Marist (2-2)
Last Week:
Blessed Trinity beat St. Pius X 14-7
Marist lost to Woodward Academy 21-28
Players to Watch:
Blessed Trinity: DE/TE/WR Kieran Davis, WR Cole Weaver, LB/FB Mavrick Torrico, RB/LB Deldrick Franklin
Marist: RB/DB Eli Clarkson, DT/OL O’Keefe McKinney, DE/WR Luke Harpring, RB/LB Channing Henderson
Storylines:
Both of these teams know how to win, each have won a state championship in the last 4 years. Blessed Trinity has won 4 out of 6 in previous matchups, but Marist won the most recent contest in 2021. Marist is looking to get back on the winning track, and will heavily rely on their defense, not only to limit the Titans scoring opportunities, but also to create negative plays, and turnovers in order to set their offense up for easy points. Look for O’Keefe McKinney, and Channing Henderson to set the tone for the War Eagles this week. The Titans, on the other hand, are a complete football team. Their defense, featuring Mavrick Torrico, and Deldrick Franklin, fly around the field and make it difficult for opponents to have any type of success. Offensively, Blessed Trinity is balanced, and the Titans have found success on the ground, and through the air early on this season.
Game of the Week
Class 7A
Cedar Grove (3-0) @ Mill Creek (3-0)
Last Week:
Mill Creek BYE
Cedar Grove beat Collins Hill 40-6
Players to Watch:
Mill Creek: QB Hayden Clark, WR Makhail Wood, WR Jamal Singleton, DB Caleb Downs
Cedar Grove: CB Kayin Lee, CB/WR Ricky Lee, WR Barry Jackson, RB Bo Walker
Storylines:
A battle of two big time programs in the state of Georgia. Mill Creek, who is familiar with the spotlight, faces a big test Friday night. The Hawks will play host, and face off against 3A powerhouse Cedar Grove. The Saints from Cedar Grove have won 4 of the last 6 state championships, and are coming off a 40-6 throttling of Collins Hill. Mill Creek will present a balanced offensive attack, but put the ball in the hands of QB Hayden Clark, and rely on him to evenly spread the ball around to their playmakers. Cedar Grove is an all around football team, they control the clock on offense, and limit scoring opportunities for the opponent on the defensive side of the ball. This is a marquee game and everyone should be tuning in!